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Most teenaged hockey stars from Michigan encounter a tough choice between the OHL and U.S. college hockey.

London Knights second rounder Ben Gleason, cousin of Maple Leafs defenceman Tim Gleason, faced his own dilemma at the NHL’s Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium on New Year’s Day.

“I’m a (Detroit Red) Wings fan, of course,” the 16-year-old d-man said with a grin, “and when Tim got traded (from Carolina to the Leafs) on Winter Classic Day, we didn’t know what to do.”

So they went with the flow.

“We were wearing our Wings jerseys, then took them off and started cheering for the Leafs,” he said. “

When we heard Tim’s name on the (score) board, everyone kind of looked at us and knew in a second the Gleasons were at the Winter Classic.

“It was great.”

So was seeing his name go up on the computer screen to London, 36th overall, during the OHL’s Internet draft on Saturday.

He was one of three Detroit Honeybaked players, including big first-round forward Max Jones, picked by the Knights.

Gleason, Jones, goalie Emanuel Vella and fifth-rounder Drake Rymsha were at the London-Guelph playoff game Tuesday night at Budweiser Gardens.

Gleason is on board. He’s planning on reporting to training camp and follow in the footsteps of cousin Tim, a four-year Windsor Spitfire rearguard.

“I work out with him every single day of the summer for about three hours and I skate with him every other day,” said Ben, from Brandon Township, about 50 minutes from Detroit. “He teaches me everything. Tim’s been a huge part of my life.”

The chances of watching his cousin in the NHL playoffs this spring, though, are pretty slim.

He better keep that Wings sweater close at hand.

Final rankings released

The NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked former Junior Knight Jared McCann, the Soo Greyhounds standout, 10th overall among North American skaters in their latest pre-draft list.